Gender differences in substrate selection have been reported during endurance exercise. To date, no studies have looked at muscle enzyme adaptations following endurance exercise training in both genders. We investigated the effect of a 7-week endurance exercise training program on the activity of beta-oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain enzymes, and fiber type distribution in males and females. Training resulted in an increase in VO2peak, for both males and females of 17% and 22%, respectively (P < 0.001). The following muscle enzyme activities increased similarly in both genders: 3-beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (38%), citrate synthase (41%), succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (41%), and cytochrome c oxidase (COX; 26%). The increase in COX activity was correlated (R2 = 0.52, P < 0.05) with the increase in VO2peak/fat free mass. Fiber area, size, and % area were not affected by training for either gender, however, males had larger Type II fibers (P < 0.05) and females had a greater Type I fiber % area (P < 0.05). Endurance training resulted in similar increases in skeletal muscle oxidative potential for both males and females. Training did not affect fiber type distribution or size in either gender.

BackgroundCardiac Rehabilitation (CR) and secondary prevention are effective components of evidence-based management for cardiac patients, resulting in improved clinical and behavioural outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) is a rapidly growing health delivery method that has the potential to enhance CR and heart failure management. We undertook a systematic review to assess the evidence around mHealth interventions for CR and heart failure management for service and patient outcomes, cost effectiveness with a view to how mHealth could be utilized for rural, remote and Indigenous cardiac patients.MethodsA comprehensive search of databases using key terms was conducted for the years 2000 to August 2016 to identify randomised and non-randomised trials utilizing smartphone functionality and a model of care that included CR and heart failure management. Included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias and data extraction was undertaken by two independent reviewers.ResultsNine studies described a mix of mHealth interventions for CR (5 studies) and heart failure (4 studies) in the following categories: feasibility, utility and uptake studies; and randomised controlled trials. Studies showed that mHealth delivery for CR and heart failure management is feasible with high rates of participant engagement, acceptance, usage, and adherence. Moreover, mHealth delivery of CR was as effective as traditional centre-based CR (TCR) with significant improvement in quality of life. Hospital utilization for heart failure patients showed inconsistent reductions. There was limited inclusion of rural participants.ConclusionMobile health delivery has the potential to improve access to CR and heart failure management for patients unable to attend TCR programs. Feasibility testing of culturally appropriate mHealth delivery for CR and heart failure management is required in rural and remote settings with subsequent implementation and evaluation into local health care services.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12872-018-0764-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

OBJECTIVE -The vascular benefits of statins might be attenuated by inhibition of coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ) synthesis. We investigated whether oral CoQ 10 supplementation improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -In a double-blind crossover study, 23 statintreated type 2 diabetic patients with LDL cholesterol Ͻ2.5mmol/l and endothelial dysfunction (brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation [FMD] Ͻ5.5%) were randomized to oral CoQ 10 (200 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. We measured brachial artery FMD and nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) by ultrasonography. Plasma F 2 -isoprostane and 24-h urinary 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) levels were measured as systemic oxidative stress markers.RESULTS -Compared with placebo, CoQ 10 supplementation increased brachial artery FMD by 1.0 Ϯ 0.5% (P ϭ 0.04), but did not alter NMD (P ϭ 0.66). CoQ 10 supplementation also did not alter plasma F 2 -isoprostane (P ϭ 0.58) or urinary 20-HETE levels (P ϭ 0.28).CONCLUSIONS -CoQ 10 supplementation improved endothelial dysfunction in statintreated type 2 diabetic patients, possibly by altering local vascular oxidative stress.

Male and female coping behaviors were compared in order to test the theory that men use instrumental coping strategies more frequently than women, who are thought to use emotion-focused coping solutions. We interviewed 51 female and 39 male first-year undergraduates by telephone three times a week for 8 weeks, using an inventory developed for 28 chronic stressors. Analyses of variance were used to test gender differences in frequency of daily stressors, concomitant perceptions of stress, and utilization of problem-solving behaviors. The majority of analyses showed no gender differences. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of cultural expectations.